Thursday, January 26, 2012

First Mock 2012 Draft


Andrew Luck

So it begins. Yet another draft season gets under way and I could not be happier. March Madness is right around the corner which will make this a whole lot more fun even though it has nothing to do with football. Anyway, here is my first mock based on my impressions based solely on the 2012 college football season. Just to give a timeline, expect one sometime in Feb, 2 in March and 2 in April.

1.) Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck QB/Stanford  This is almost a locked in pick. There will be hardly no debate over this pick. Especially now with Peyton Manning questioning the direction of the team, the Colts will nab their second once in a lifetime QB with Luck.

2.) St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon WR/Oklahoma State  Potential trade spot here, look for new head coach Jeff Fisher to layout all his options. Will he move forward with Sam Bradford as his guy? I believe so. But again, good spot for a trade here for a QB needy team i.e Washington, Miami, Cleveland. If not, Blackmon will be the top target Bradford has desperatly needed.

3.) Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil OT/USC  Moving forward with Christian Ponder as their QB, how about keeping him upright? The Vikings were brutal at pass blocking last season and Kalil is as close to a sure thing at his position as Luck.

4.) Cleveland Browns: Robert Griffin III QB/Baylor  If the Browns choose to swap picks with the Rams, this would be their guy. But again, a lot depends on what St. Louis deems as the best offer. Perhaps though, Cleveland finally catches a break and gets a guy who just seems destined for greatness.

5.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne CB/LSU  I debated with myself over this pick. A RB or CB? I went with CB but it is early and that could change. With this pick a RB just seems to high even though a Trent Richardson would be a popular pick. Claiborne seems like the safer pick.

6.) Washington Redskins: Quinton Coples DE/North Carolina  After missing on their QB and WR, the Skins may look to move back in the draft. If not, the should bolster an already stout defense. Add Coples with Orakpo and last year's number one selection Ryan Kerrigan, the Redskins have a defense to be reckoned with.

7.) Jacksonville Jaguars: Riley Reiff OT/Iowa  Sure Blaine Gabbert could use offensive weapons, but more importantly he needs to stay on his feet. He was beaten up in his rookie campaign. Reiff is getting hot at the right time. Some are even saying he could go before Kalil. Solid and smart pick for the Jags.

8.) Carolina Panthers: Devon Still DT/Penn State  Cam Newton showed why he was worthy of the number one overall pick last season and dramatically improved a sluggish offense. The achilles heel for this team last season was the porous defense. Yes they put up a ton of points but they also gave up a ton. In order to be considered a threat, Carolina should beef up the D.

9.) Miami Dolphins: Jonathan Martin OT/Stanford  The Fins have potential to be a good team next season. Rumors have it they are very interested in acquiring eyton Manning should he become available. Regardless, the Dolphins should look to solidify the O-line with this intelligent player. Martin and Jake Long could be the best tackle duo in the NFL.

10.)  Buffalo Bills: Melvin Ingram OLB/South Carolina  Regarded as the best pass rusher in this class, Ingram would fill a position of need for this team. The Bills at times showed promise last season. Others, it was same old Bills. Perhaps this guy can finally be that presence of the edge and maybe just maybe Merriman can do something for this team. Either way he fills major hole.
 
11.) Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro OG/Stanford  This player will help the Chiefs return to the dominant ways of the early 2000s. Hard nosed running with physical and intelligent play. Not to mention Matt Cassel cannot get hit the way he did this past season.

12.) Seattle Seahawks: Dre Kirkpatrick CB/Alabama  Seattle had some good moments last season. Defensively though they can improve a lot. Kirkpatrick was fierce in the title game and could provide this team with much needed secondary help and depth.

13.) Arizona Cardinals: Luke Kuechly ILB/Boston College  One of the most prductive college players ever, Kuechly will help a Cardinals team I believe that is in rebuilding mode. His awareness and ability to get to the ball will be a building block for this team in the upcoming future.

14.) Dallas Cowboys: Courtney Upshaw OLB/Alabama  I know this is a guy many Bills fans would like to see. But from my comparisons I still view Ingram as of today to be the better NFL player. Upshaw will for sure bring a lot to any team he goes to and the Cowboys need a better pass rush.

15.) Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Floyd WR/Notre Dame  DeSean Jackson is all but out the door in Philly. Floyd is a big reciever who can go up and make incredible catches. Mike Vick will love this pick.

16.) New York Jets: Mark Barron S/Alabama  There is nothing more greater than watching Rex Ryan swallow his own words. The Jets drastically underachieved this past season and they lost their defensive identity. Jim Leonhard cannot stay healthy and Barron could provide the extra bite this team needs.

17.) Cincinnati Bengals(From OAK): Trent Richardson RB/Alabama  The Bengals get lucky and have the best RB fall into their lap at 17. For now. This team needs a better running game and Richardson will certainly provide that. Arguabkly the best player in this draft.

18.) San Diego Chargers: Zach Brown OLB/North Carolina  Just like most teams, the Chargers lacked a consistent pass rush. Brown, though undersized, can give this team what it needs at that position.

19.) Chicago Bears: Kendall Wright WR/Baylor  The Bears did not have a WR worth mentioning last season. When Cutler went down so did the Bears. This team desperately needs a playmaker, especially if Forte decides to walk. Wright can be that guy.

20.) Tennessee Titans: Nick Perry DE/USC  Perry is considered to be one of the top pass rushers in the draft. His biggest knock is his size. If he can gain a few pounds and improve his sideline to sideline speed, he has potential to be a top 10 pick. For now, hes a good fit in Tennessee.

21.) Cincinnati Bengals: Alfonzo Dennard CB/Nebraska  After Jonathan Joseph left in free agency the Bengals were left in a tight spot. Dennard, while not the most talented player, should provide depth at a weakness position last season.

22.) Cleveland Browns(From ATL): Whitney Mercilus DE/Illinois  The Browns selected two D-lineman last season which proved to be a good move. Mercilus is not an every down type player and his motivation is questionable. Perhaps he could slip out the first round but you can never have enough pass rush, ie Giants and 49ers.

23.) Detroit Lions: Janoris Jenkins CB/North Alabama  The former Gator gets picked here. After being forced to transfer for violations, Jenkins is still a high quality player. The Lions need a guy that can make plays against QBs like Rodgers and Cutler.

24.) Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams OT/Ohio State  The Steelers clearly need an upgrade along the o-line. Big Ben was just destroyed this past season. Although raw at this point, Adams has potential to develop into a top tier pro-bowl type player.

25.) Denver Broncos: Chase Minnifield CB/Virginia  Champ Bailey can't play forever. It is time for this team to bring a young prospect that can learn from Champ while he is still around. At this point in the draft any CB taken would be a risk but has potential to be a great pick if you hit the right one.

26.) Houston Texans: Mohammad Sanu WR/Rutgers  A catch machine at Rutgers, Sanu could be the missing piece for this team. Their defense is great so adding another playmaker along with Arian Foster and Andre Johnson, you are looking at a legitimate threat to win the AFC next season.

27.) New England Patriots(From NO): Michael Brockers DT/LSU  Many people have him going in the top 15. I didn't see enough to make him go that high. He is a steady and sound player but fits here towards the end of round 1. The Pats need a push outside of Wilfork.

28.) Green Bay Packers: Jerel Worthy DT/Michigan State  Speaking of push, Eli Manning had all day to throw in that playoff game. The Packers need a big mean guy like Worthy to come in and disrupt some things offesively.

29.) Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz C/Wisconsin  Not a sexy pick but one that is needed. Chances are Matt Birk retires leaving a gaping hole at the center position. Konz was a Badger where offensive line is king. A smart and safe pick for the Ravens.

30.) San Francisco 49ers: Dontari Poe DT/Memphis  This guy is big. 6'5" 350 are his pre-combine measurables. Add him to the middle of one of the best defenses in the NFL, the 49ers may never give up a rushing TD.

31.) New York Giants: Kelechi Osemele OG/Iowa State  The Giants surprisingly made it to the Super Bowl. Defensively they do not need much help with most of their secondary set to return from injury. If they don't resign Nicks, WR would be an option but for now adding offensive line depth is a quality choice.

32.) New England Patriots: Fletcher Cox DT/Mississippi State  Why not add to big guys for the d-line? Cox can play DE as well. Add these guys to a line with Wilfork, good luck AFC East.